Dual control mechanism for valves and the like



Nov. 24, 1953 V. VEENSCHOTEN DUAL CONTROL MECHANISM FOR VALVES AND THE LIKE File'd Sept. 19, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. VINCENT M VEE/VSGHOTEN ATTORNEY,

Nov. 24, 1953 v. v. VEENSCHOTEN 2,660,072

DUAL CONTROL MECHANISM FOR VALVES AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 19, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 HVVENTUR. VINCE/V T L VEE/VSGHOTE/V NOV. 24, 1953 v, v VEENSCHOTEN 2,660,072

DUAL. CONTROL MECHANISM FOR VALVES AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 19, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TOR. V/NGENT M VEE/VSCHOTEN 2 1953 v. v. VEENSCHOTEN 2,660,072

DUAL CONTROL MECHANISM FOR VALVES AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 19, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 1 N V EN TOR. VINCENT l4 VEENSOHOTEN A T TOR/V5 Y Patented Nov. 24, 1953 DUAL CONTROL MECHANISM FOR VALVES AND THE LIKE Vincent V. Veenschoten, Erie, Pa., assignor to Continental Foundry and Machine Company, East Chicago, Ind., a corporation of Delaware Application September 19, 1950, Serial No. 185,588

8 Claims. (Cl- '74625) this general type with which I am familiar, when shifting from one type of control to the other, require disengagement of gears, disconnecting of links, actuation of clutches and the like, to avoid having the control taking over the device backdrive or otherwise influence the other control. I have devised a mechanism whereby a valve or the like device may be selectively controlled by manual or power means and wherein no intermediate shifting means or operation is required to avoid back-driving or the like between the control means.

According to the invention, I provide a shaft adapted to actuate a valve or the like which is threaded within a rotatable but axially immovable sleeve. whereby the shaft will be moved axially. The shaft is also adapted to be manually rotated by means which permit the shaft to move axially relative thereto. When the power means is controlling the device the shaft merely moves axially relative to the manual control means and when the manual means is controlling the device the power means merely holds the sleeve stationary whereby the shaft will be moved axially.

It is a primary object of the invention to provide a mechanism adapted to selectively control valves or the like by manual or power means, and

wherein control can be transferred from one to' the other means without shifting gears, actuating a mechanism of the above type which can be easily adapted to any shaft which is axially mov-- able to control a device.

Other objects of the invention and the mvention itself will become increasingly apparent from a consideration of the following description and drawings wherein:

Figure l is a diagrammatic perspective view of mechanism embodying the invention, with parts. broken away for clearness of illustration;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of practical The sleeve is rotatable by power means i 2 mechanism illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken along the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a transverse section taken along the line 44 of Figure 2, and

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the mechanism illustrated in Figure 2 with the housing cut away along a plane indicated at 5-5.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly Figure l, I have indicated at I0 an axially movable shaft which threadedly engages a sleeve II. Shaft I0 may control any desired device by reverse axial movement but for purpose of illustration it is shown as controlling the feed water valve for a boiler.

The valve housing, indicated at I2, has a column or yoke I3 extending upwardly therefrom which terminates in a flange l4 forming a mounting for a bearing I6. Bearing I6 rotatably supports sleeve I I but prevents the'sleeve from moving axially as will be explained in detail later. Sleeve II has a worm gear ll integral therewith which engages a worm I8 fixed to a shaft I9 journaled in bearings 2 i-2 I. Shaft I9 is driven by a pinion 22 engaging a gear 23 fixed to the shaft of a reversible motor 24.

It will be apparent that since sleeve I I is axially fixed that rotation of the sleeve in either direction will cause shaft Ill to move axially and thereby change the position of a valve or other device which shaft Iii actuates or controls. The upper portion of shaft III is splined as indicated at 26 to slidingly interlock with a gear 2'! which engages a worm 28 fixed to a shaft 29 journaled in bearings 3| and rotatable by a hand wheel 32.

Rotation of sleeve II by the power means or motor 24 will cause shaft I0 to move axially since there is sufficient resistance in the gearing connections between hand wheel 32 and shaft I9 to prevent rotation of the shaft although the shaft is permitted to move axially relative to gear 21 due to the splined connection therebetween.

In the event the power means or motor 24 fails, the device actuated by shaft ID, can be quickly operated by manual means through hand wheel 32 and in this instance the resistance offered by the reduction gearing between the motor a and the sleeve i I is sufiicient to prevent the sleeve motor 24 fails for any reason hand wheel 32 can immediately take over control of shaft II] without any intermediate operation being required such as shifting gears, disconnecting links, ac tuating clutches and the like. In the event shaft l operates a feed water valve for a boiler it will be apparent that in an emergency it is highly imperative that the feed water valve be controlled in a minimum time. The mechanism disclosed permits the device to be immediately controlled manuallyvwithout a -intermediate mar ual opera tion normally fediiiffidisengigihg' cliitchesand the like) to avoid the resistance encountered in attempting to back-drive the power means. In the event the power means shouldbe placed i operation while an operatorgrasps the' h wheel there is no danger of injuring the operator since no intermediate:manualmperationis required to avoid back-driving the liandwheli Referring now to Figure a portibflo'f the mechanism diagrammatically Fig; ure 1 is enclosed by a gear'housinggenera lly indicated at 33. It will be noted that the p'orti'on of shaft In above the splines 26 is formed to provide a...splural ity o f closely spaced annular teeth 3B which'engage a gear 31 whereby axial movee MPQ L Aa MLMW J when: a: m disc 3. 96 ablfconnected to gear '31.; EachtoothiS' bi S n-. 1 a liqr zqntalmane extending t i ht dates to the axis of shartiugsothatj a-rackandf f connection is maintainedbetween' the teeth ligand; gear fij rggardless'of therelatively rotated: position of shaft lll. Disc 38.;hasone'or more camelements 31 secured;t hereto adapted-to actuate movable contactarms 4] of limit;'switches.-' In .-.other-words,- when the' cam disc 38. rotates" clockwiselli'igure Zidue toelevationoffshaft l0) the-defthand; element; will engage a roller portion' 42 0f theleft hand contact-arm 4i and:

rock the left hand contact armout-of engage nientgwith the left handl'limits'witch '43. This breaks the motor circuit andassuming avalveis' left; in--itsmaximum open positionythe valve willi remain .in' this position until the-boiler 'feediwatei demand .-decreaseswhereupon the circuit for up 5 crating the motor 24' in a reverse direction will be cIosecb -in a wellgknown "manner','"'and the motor will-1continuev to-effect lowering o'f "the "shaft? l'il until the circuit is brokeneither by other means" or zuntil-the right?handz'limittswitch is actuated;-

to break the motor circuit.

Ordinarily,-the'motor 24 will control. axial movement of. shaft but in the event ofian emergency, such aspoweror motor failure, itzis' highlyz irnperative that the boiler feed .watersup-i ply or th e'like be immediately taken over by man ual means in -a minimum time. Prior valve 'or i thelike control mechanism of this general type" hiclrl arnfamiliarrequirethatsome in termediate manual operation be performed ;be-

wit

fore t he manual-contrgl can-be eifectivefsuch as a shi f-ting means or the-like to avoid attempts"- ing to lbaclr drive the g power means. Under emergencyponditijons, particularly for a boiler feed lwater controlpit is imperative that controlv i if ly eh iitae l lhai e dev ed an r r ereby control can be shiftedfrompotver mentwh to -manual means or vice versa without a time de layinggintermediate operation."- Thefact that an operator ca1 1 ;im m ediately take over "control' i' thr ough 'manipulation of h'and'jwheel 132 of:

considerable importance since normal control by inotor or power means and emergencies are" infrequent. 'Accordingly;" an operator'under" emergency conditions may forget h'owto'declut'ch" the power means and connect the manual'fmeans in a conventiona-l drive unit;

Now; assume' that the shaft. I 0 and the valve s'houlder formed on gear 21. The lower portion hgcar 2.'|..is of inverted cup form as indicated at 43 theoi'iter wall of this portion having a sliding fit with a second internal flange 49 of the iflg'3'3 and bei liig'journaled on the outer race TThe inner race of bearing 5| u'lder formed on sleev H and a gc Qilgl' llqulder, ongthe sleeve forms a seat for the inner race of a bearing 52. The outer raawsf bearing 52 is seated in a lower internal flange 53 formed in housing 33. It will now' bea'pparentt' th'atfgear 27am sleeve H are fixed. againstiaxial movement-and that any axial thrust.is"'transmitted.to the housing ss throiign the bearings '41 .andf'52. "Also; it will be'fnoted' that the upper tubular portioif of gear 2l is" in ternally 'splin'ed. to engage with the "splines 26 of'shaftfll. "'A lock'ring Sisecures the inner race ofa bearing 5.5:to" shaft?! ii;th'e inner race being'telesco'p'eid over' a reduced diameter portion'56i of 'sh aftf'l'fll and clamped? between a shoulder o'nthe" shaft" andgth lockring. The outer i'ace'o'fbearing 55fis'clampedibetween a shoulder ftrm'edbn a sleeve ele'menttflfa'nd alo'ck rin -tai'engagingm'e outer" raIceand thesleeve'. Thus; anyaxial inovem'enti ofsshaftz'lll willl'btransmitted' to sre'e'v est-j 'A] plurality 'o'fiflat'di'sc springs," and inner andjouter spacer rings, generally "indicated at 59 transmit axialimovementof slee've 5I-t'o a valve 'steinele' ment s1: nime'nt fil m'akes aslidii ig 'fit'with' a circular flange 62 integral with or siitp'd lub'r ant, a greas groove M m o tfj i ii rt" tfigspna n.

is applied when the stem expands, through element 6|, to the outer edge, of the lower disc spring, then through the springs to the inner edge of the top spring, then through the snap ring to sleeve 51, andthrough bearing 55 to shaft I I].

Referring now to Figure 4, the hand wheel 32 is fixed to a short shaft 66 which has a spur gear 61 keyed thereto, and this gear engages a pinion 68 keyed to shaft 29 having the worm 28 formed thereoni' The worm engages gear 21 splined to shaft Ill. Due to the considerable leverage possible between the hand wheel 32 and the gearing connections with shaft Iii, I provide means whereby the amount of torque capable of being exerted through the hand wheel with the valve in a closed position is limited. A cup form member H affixed to shaft 29 abuts an end convolutionof a compression spring 12 which limits the amount of closing force that can be applied by the hand wheel 32. The initialcompression of the spring determines the thrust at which worm 28 begins tomove laterally and the spring normally tendstoforce worm 23 away from the hand wheel. When gear 21 encounters so much resistance that itcannot be driven further, the worm 28 will move towards the hand wheel compressing spring 12 and as shaft 29 moves to the left a reduced end portion 16' thereof will project out through the side. of housing 33 and get in the path of a short lever 13' keyed to the hand wheel shaft externally of the housing and thereby prevents further rotation of the hand wheel.

Referring now to Figure 3, it will be noted that the shaft l9 illustrated diagrammatically as a unitary shaft in Figure 1 may comprise two parts for a practical mechanism. The right hand part of shaft 19 may be the shaft of motor 2 5. The gear 23 may comprise external splines formed on the outer end of the motor shaft to rotatably inter-lock with internal splines in a coupling 25. A pin interlocks shaft I9 and coupling 25. The left hand shaft part as shaft indicated at 2B, is provided with external splines corresponding to pinion 22 of Figure ,1 which engage the internal splines of coupling 25 to rotatably inter-lock shaft 23 and coupling 25 but which will permit relative axial movement therebetween. Shaft 20 is journaled in bearings 2| and has a cup shaped member 14 affixed thereto which engagesone end of a compression spring 5. This spring is initially compressed and forces the right hand bearing 2| and the shaft 29 assembly away from motor 2 5..

In this normal position, illustrated in Figure 3, a plunger 16 mounted in the end of shaft 20 holds athrust limit switch I1 closed. The motor control current passes through this closed switch. When the valve or other device becomes closed or loaded the force required to turn gear I! increases and worm is tends to move towards motor 24 when it can no longer overcome the resistance of the load. As worm i8 moves towards the motor, plunger 16 moves away from limit switch ll thereby disconnecting power from the motor. As themotor coasts to a stop, its energy is dissipated by further compressing spring 15.

' Although for convenience of description in Figure 3, I have compared the splines 23 of shaft 59 The initial compression of the springs 12 and I5 determines or limits torque which can be applied onthe down stroke either by the motor or manually. lt will be noted that torque limiting means have not been provided for the upstroke. since in driving or operating a valve the principal concern is with tight seating and it is necessary that a certain amount of seating force be applied before cutting off the power. The upper limit is not so important and a simple position type limit switch such as 43 will sufiice, where it is important thatthevalve does not completely close the other position limit switch (the right hand switch 43 illustrated in Figure 3) can be adjusted to determine the lowermost position of the valve stem although as previously explained the lower limit is normally controlled by the thrust switch 11.

The operation of the dual control mechanism described will now be explained in connection with controlling the feed water supply for a boiler. The shaft ID will be connected to the stem or spindle 6 1 of a feed water valve in the-manner previously described. it will be noted that the diagrammatic view (Figure 1) shows right hand threads on shaft ii and right hand threads on the worm 28 whereby as the hand wheel 32 is rotated clockwise, in the event of an emergency the feed water valve will be closed. Since it is conventional to rotate a hand wheel clockwise to close a valve or the like, it is important that the valve be moved in a closing direction by manual operation of the hand wheel in'a clockwise direc-- tion under emergency conditions. For convenience of illustration, the threads of shaft I0 (Figure 1) and the threads of worm 28 are illustrated as right hand threads whereby manual rotation of hand wheel 32 in a clockwise direction will close the feed water valve. However, in a practical mechanism, such as illustrated in Figures 2 to 5 inclusive, it has been found advisable to provide shaft 18 with left hand threads and to effect lowering movement of valve stem 64 by clockwise rotation of hand wheel 32 the worm 28 fixed to shaft is has also been provided with left hand threads. In any event, shaft Ill will be connected to the stem or spindle 64 of .a feed water valve or the like, in the manner previously described, whereby elevating of shaft I0 will cause the valve to move in an opening direction increasing the rate of supply of feed water. Lowering movement of shaft H3 will cause the valve to move in a closing direction decreasing the rate of supply of feed water.

Normally, valve movement will be under the control of power means such as the reversible motor 2 2. To open the valve,shaft 19 as viewed from the left hand end of Figure 3 will rotate clockwise.

Gear Ii, driving the equivalent of a yoke nut on a hand valve will turn clockwise as'viewed in Figure 3. Shaft It also tends to turn clockwise but is restrained by splines Edinterlocked with gear 21 and this gear is restrained from clockwise rotation by worm 28. The thrust transmitted by worm 2&2 is absorbed by the right hand bearing 3! (Figure 4). To close valve, the motor 24 is reversed and gear ll will turn counter-clockwise as reviewed in Figure 3. As previously mentioned various means for automatically reversing an electric motor in response to a change in demand for feed water are well known and any suitable means.

of spring 15, the thrust limit switch 17 is opened as previously described cutting off power from motor 25.

In the event of an emergency requiring closing efthe vaiv e operator merely rotate -hang wheel 32 clockwise and when the valve is seatejd findera thrust deterinmed by the strength of spring 12, further rotation of the handwheel is limited due to end portion 10 of s'haftjabeiiig disposed in the path of ever]: as previouslydescribed. In the event of an emergency requiring-opening oi the valve an operatoi' merely ro tate's the hand wheel 3; ool nter-clqelr'wise and the valve may be fully opened it desired It will now be understood that l have provided a relatively simple arrangement whereby a device'siich as aiee'd water valve can be sel'e'g' tively controlled either by power or manual means without requiring any intermediate operation when shifting from one type of control to the ether.

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, since obvious modification will ec'ciir to persons skilled in the art;

What I 'claim is as fellows: v y

l A dual Control mechanism for valvesand the like comprising an axially movable threaded Sfi'aftadapted to be secured to the device to be controlled; an axially fixed rotatable sleeve threadedly engaging the shaft'a first gear fixed to the sleeve, a, first worm engaging the f rst gear and axially 'inovable, a reversible electric motor d iv n the worm, a ec nd g ar p nes to t e h t econ W r nga n h se n gear, manual means, for driving the second worm, fire-loaded spring means forcing the f rst mm 1. o a a dire ti a th ust. limit sw tch o t o i the m or c cu and a etlto. be l d w he-Worm i oed 1 s d n axial. di ;ction, the switch being adapted to open when the wo m mov s in the o site axial d r ct on u the s s n e of he leev to to he bei g greater hthe s rin me n o s t a u t o p oo din of the s ri m ans d minin t th u n th ait. at the time e s e ve ea sto t rn-i r r 2. The dual control mechanism asdescribed (319.3111 l and wherein a P siti n im t w t h is connected. to the motor eircuit; and. means ap p e s tch are operably con: s or; t he s a t he y when the shaft. reaches a pre-determined axial position the switch will be opened, t

he d l o tr l mechanism as describ in claim 1 and, wherein the second worm is. ;mounted on an axially movable shaft, Dre-loaded ,-spring means force the second Worm in, one axial ,direction, a hand wheel is fixed to the shaft, and dileans are provided whereby movement of the ,shaft in the opposite axial direction" due, to lthe -.spring means foroe being overcome by resistance, lto rotation of the second gear will block further t ionl f the hand whe .7

4; The dual control mechanis'm as described iii aimand wherein a va v t m lem nt i h to the shaft by lu t o fl .cl so hr ne an spacer r n s whereby the el ment; W ll a y, m i lly a a unit with th s t 't axial expansi n o the. ement can be accommodated when the shaft is axially. fixed,

5.] A dual control mechanism for valves. or the like comprising an axially movable threaded shaft adapted to be secured to thedevice to be gone tiolled, an axially fixed rotatable sleeve thread.-w ve gasih vth shaft a revers bl e ectrion q tor for rotating the sleeve to control axial moves. meat. o thashait reversible. manual means-tor rotating tl'l Shaft to" iit'ifitrdl axiai movement ma s. drivihs sensations between the m or etiqf e adapt d to hold C1 tions between the th ma means and: ft adapted to prevent the shaft from rotating but permitting axial 'movement thereof when the ia us m an i inope .v e eby e ther he m j al m ns o motor may dir ct y ef ct ax a m v mfin Of h htfi? w ou any t mediate a n; the hatt hav n a or ion oo ed. to p v s ced a nular teeth, a ear en ag d teeth n e vre a ive v. otat d ose not the haft wh y axial. mo men f th shaft W ll tat aidse h and means ope able by the gear for ak n the tl i to the motori- A. d a n ol. e hanism or valves or th ike com isin an ax al mo a le. th e ded s a t a a ted o beseou ed t the devi to he et'antrolled an axially fixed rotatable sleeve thr d dly nga in the shai re rsible power meane rotating the sleeve to control axial ent of the, sha t, reve si le manual means for rotatin the shaft to control axial movement thereof, driving eonneetions between the power me hsand sleeve adap ed to hold e l e t o v wh the powe m ans is hoio r i iv ng lon otio is etw n he ma mea s and shaft adapted to prevent the shaft from rotate ing but permitting axial movement thereof when e hoel means is in era ve. whe eby i r control means may efiect axial movement, of the shaft w n eothe mean s. i oper t ve w t out, qu r g hytin ermediate o ration, said dri n co nections between the a ual means and the s att omprisin a e spl nfed. to the shaft, a worm operable by the manual means and axially movable, pre lqad jd springvmfians acting to force the WQIIQ one axial direction, and means. fecti e when. the wor o s n th opposite axial direction due to the resistance of the gear to ro ation bein gre te than t r g means foree to prevent continued operation of he mahualmeanst 1 7 '7'. A dual gontrol mechanism for valves or the. i e c mp isin an ax a ly mo a le th ead d shaft, adapted to, be secured to the device to be controlled, an axially fixed rotatable sleeve hreads-L6 3, engaging the shaf re si l power means for rotating the sleeve to. control axial mo emen o th sha e e e a ualineahs or rota in the shaf v to c ntrol axial, movement thereof; driving conneotions between the power mean; and sleeve adapted to. hold the sleeve stationary when the power means is inoperative, driving eonnections between the. manual means a shaft adapted to prevent the shaft from taliing bllt, permitting axial movement thereof when the Inannalflmeans is inoperative whereby ither contro means mavefiect axial mov m of the s artwheh the other means isinoperative w t out-re uir any n er ediate operation. said driving connections between the power mot s and s e e c mp i g a gear ed to t e sleeve, a worm operable by the power means and x a y mova le o e-loa e sprin means aetm toforqe the W m i t ne x l r tion, me ns eifective to operate the power means when the worm is forced in said one axial direction, and

movement of the worm theopposite axial dizre'ction due tothe resistance of the sleeve to ro-. tatlon being greater thanthe spring means force ender g i e f e means inoperab e.

diial control mechanism for valvesworthe. ike com s n an axiall movable h a ed 75 shaft adapted to be secured to the device to be controlled, an axially fixed rotatable sleeve threadedly engaging the shaft, reversible power means for rotating the sleeve to control axial movement of the shaft, reversible manual means for rotating the shaft to control axial movement thereof, driving connections between the power means and sleeve adapted to hold the sleeve stationary when the power means is inoperative, driving connections between the manual means and shaft adapted to prevent the shaft from rotating but permitting axial movement thereof when the manual means is inoperative whereby either control means may efiect axial movement of the shaft when the other means is inoperative without requiring any intermediate operation, the shaft having a portion formed with spaced annular teeth, a gear engaging said teeth in any relatively rotated position of the shaft whereby axial l0 movement of the shaft will effect rotation of the gear, means for rendering the power means inoperative, and the gear being operably connected to said last mentioned means.

VINCENT V. VEENSCHOTEN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED'STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,966,209 Miller July 10, 1934 2,005,891 Elberty, Jr June 25, 1935 2,318,010 Panish May 4, 1943 2,324,211 Hodgson July 13, 1943 2,390,882 Hopkins Dec. 11, 1945 2,391,418 Hodgson Dec. 25, 1945 2,414,032 Fawkes Jan. 7, 1947 2,420,552 Morrill May 13, 1947 

